How many travellers will be in my group?

Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

How fit do I need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

When are the next departures?

The next available departures are 5 December 2026; 6 February 2027; 4 December 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

What's included in the tour price?

Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Ferry tickets to/from Ometepe Island; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

Where exactly does this trip go?

This tour visits Nicaragua. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Nicaragua13 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

Best of Nicaragua

Discover Nicaragua's colonial cities, active volcanoes, and twin-volcano island in Lake Nicaragua — all in a small group of up to 12 travellers.

View dates & prices

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

Nicaragua, following a history of political and economic upheavals is now a peaceful and congenial place which has become impressively reconciled with the conflicts of its past. Visitors are increasingly drawn to its wonderfully unspoilt landscapes, where the bucolic tranquillity of countryside little changed over the centuries has as its counterpoint seething volcanoes and the legacy of earthquakes in times gone by. Here you will find a couple of the continent’s finest Spanish colonial cities, Granada and Léon. Spruced up now, with their central Spanish cores faithfully restored, they have a real historical atmosphere, with lovely old mansions, baroque churches and cobbled lanes. And in Leon we will stay with a local family, an ideal opportunity to meet the friendly Nicaraguan people. Next stop will be the Selva Negra Cloudforest where we will learn about coffee production. And then we continue to Lake Nicaragua and the quiet island of Ometepe, whose isolation has protected it from the political upheavals of the past, and held back modern development. Finally, the Nicaragua small group trip ends with a relaxing stay at San Juan del Sur on the Pacific Coast.

The journey

Best of Nicaragua

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route

The highlights

Colonial Cities of the Pacific Coast
Nicaragua's two great colonial rivals — León and Granada — anchor the tour's cultural heart. From the rooftop of the world's largest cathedral in León to horse-drawn carriage rides through Granada's Spanish-colonial streets, the tour immerses you in centuries of architecture, history, and civic life. The Old León Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, add an extra layer of depth to the journey.
Volcanoes, Craters, and Geothermal Wonders
Nicaragua sits on one of the world's most active volcanic chains, and this tour puts you at its heart. You can hike the black lava dunes of Cerro Negro, drive to the smoking rim of Masaya Volcano to observe its lava lake, trek the cloud-forest Crater Trail on Mombacho, and walk among the bubbling mud pools of Hervideros de San Jacinto — all in a single 13-day itinerary.
Cloud Forest, Coffee, and Sustainable Farming
Two nights at Selva Negra Cloud Forest estate offer a complete change of pace and a fascinating insight into sustainable land management. A guided walking coffee tour takes you from nursery to plantation, while an afternoon farm visit covers everything from organic laboratories and greenhouses to stables and cheese-making — one of the most enriching agricultural experiences in Central America.
Lake Nicaragua and Ometepe Island
Lake Nicaragua, or Cocibolca, is the largest lake in Central America and a defining feature of the itinerary. A boat cruise through the Isletas de Granada introduces the lake's birdlife and history, before the tour heads to Ometepe Island — the world's largest freshwater island — where twin volcanoes, pre-Columbian ceramics, and natural springs reward exploration.
Pacific Coast and Wildlife
The tour concludes on Nicaragua's Pacific coast at San Juan del Sur, a natural crescent bay offering surf breaks, relaxed beach days, and — in season between August and January — the extraordinary spectacle of thousands of Olive Ridley turtles arriving at Flor Beach to nest. It is a fittingly wild and memorable final chapter.

Full itinerary · 13 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
5 Dec 2026	17 Dec 2026	Guaranteed	£2,195	+£440	Book now
6 Feb 2027	18 Feb 2027	Guaranteed	£2,195	+£440	Book now
4 Dec 2027	16 Dec 2027	Guaranteed	£2,195	+£440	Book now

Departure
5 Dec 2026 → 17 Dec 2026
Guaranteed
From
£2,195 pp
Single supp. +£440
Book now
Departure
6 Feb 2027 → 18 Feb 2027
Guaranteed
From
£2,195 pp
Single supp. +£440
Book now
Departure
4 Dec 2027 → 16 Dec 2027
Guaranteed
From
£2,195 pp
Single supp. +£440
Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Nicaragua journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
Ferry tickets to/from Ometepe Island
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Nicaragua Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Nicaragua that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

US Department of State — US State Dept Nicaragua Travel Advisory
Australian Government — Smartraveller Nicaragua Advice
Government of Canada — Canada Travel Advice for Nicaragua

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Best of Nicaragua. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

“Juan Carlos is an outstanding guide - one of the best I have experienced in my many travels around the world. His deep knowledge of the history, culture and flora and fauna, along with the obvious passion for his country significantly enhanced my understanding and experience of Nicaragua.”

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Roveen Bhansal, UK

“Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.”

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Bernice Hird, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

“Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise”

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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.”

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Traveller from the UK

“Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives. ”

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Adam Choonara, UK

“I really appreciated Jason's help in answering all of my many questions re: Senegal trip in December 2025. I have a physical disability and I had a lot of accessibility questions for Jason! He was a true professional and was very supportive, warm and friendly and helped me a lot in making my decision to go ahead with the Senegal trip. I would like to thank Jason particularly for this service. I truly appreciate it and I am very thankful.”

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Ramnit Bassi, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

“Undiscovered Destinations is able to find wonderful support staff and will go to the far corners of the earth.”

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Patricia Taylor, UK

“This is my third trip with UD and all have been first rate. ”

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Judith Hoyle, UK

“I am very satisfied with every trip that I have doe with you since you match my interests in culture and tribal peoples.”

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Eric Ferkins, UK

“Jason was incredibly helpful and efficient in getting us booked last minute on this trip when our trip with another company was cancelled with no notice.”

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Sarah Keir, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

Want to customise this tour?

Make Best of Nicaragua your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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More to explore

More tours in Nicaragua

Panama and Nicaragua – The Heart of Central America

Discover two captivating neighbours on one seamless journey, beginning in Panama City’s UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo. With so many things to do in Panama City, from witnessing the ingenuity of the Panama Canal to meeting Emberá communities, you’ll then continue exploring coffee estates, cloud forests, and coral-rich islands from Boquete to Bocas del Toro. Continue to Nicaragua for a rich blend of colonial charm and volcanic drama, taking in Managua’s viewpoints, León’s cathedral rooftops, and Granada’s horse-drawn streets and lake islets. Walk crater rims at Masaya, amble misty trails on Mombacho, and learn the story of coffee and sustainable farming in Selva Negra. Unwind on Ometepe Island beneath twin volcanoes, then finish on the Pacific shores of San Juan del Sur, where golden beaches, marine life, and laid-back evenings round off an itinerary that balances history, nature, and coast with genuine cultural encounters.

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£6,095

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